Kickoff: 6:00 PM CDT
Venue: Papik Field, Crete, Nebraska
Broadcast: NAIA.TV / Mid-States Football Association Network
Game Overview
Hastings College hosts Doane University in a high-profile non-conference clash to open Week 1 of the NAIA season. The Broncos, coming off a 9–2 campaign and a playoff berth in the GPAC, aim to showcase their up-tempo offense at home. Doane, fresh off a 7–4 record in the MSFA, arrives with balanced attack principles and veteran leadership under center.
Team Profiles
Hastings Broncos
2024 Record: 9–2 overall, 8–2 GPAC
Head Coach: Jay Locey (3rd season)
Offensive Scheme: Spread tempo with RPO concepts and quick-game throws
Defensive Scheme: 4–3 base front emphasizing gap integrity and third-down stops
Key Returners
QB Jackson Freeman (Sr.): Threw for 2,700 yards, 26 TDs and added 500 rushing yards.
RB Danton Smith (Jr.): Rushed for 1,100 yards (5.4 YPC) with 12 touchdowns.
LB Kyle Jennings (Sr.): Led team with 115 tackles, 8.5 TFL and 4 sacks.
Hastings Outlook: Freeman’s rapid release and Smith’s burst between the tackles give the Broncos a multi-threat offense. Defensively, Jennings anchors a unit that ranked top 3 in the GPAC in scoring defense.
Doane Tigers
2024 Record: 7–4 overall, 5–4 MSFA Mideast
Head Coach: Jonathan Johnson (2nd season)
Offensive Scheme: Pro-style balance with power runs and play-action passing
Defensive Scheme: 4–2–5 nickel built for disguising coverage and creating turnovers
Key Returners
QB Eric Hargrove (Sr.): Completed 63% of passes for 2,100 yards and 18 TDs; adds 300 rushing yards.
RB Mike Funke (Sr.): Racked up 800 yards on the ground at 4.7 YPC with 9 TDs.
DB Jake Mullen (Jr.): Recorded 5 interceptions and 12 pass breakups last year.
Doane Outlook: Hargrove’s poise in the pocket and Funke’s consistency on short-yardage downs form a balanced attack. Defensively, Mullen’s ballhawking skill set fuels a secondary geared to flip field position.
Key Storylines
Non-conference bragging rights between two of Nebraska’s historic programs.
GPAC up-tempo spread vs. MSFA pro-style balance—a classic contrast in game planning.
Hastings’ home-field edge at Papik Field, where the Broncos posted an 5–1 record in 2024.
Doane’s opportunity to make an early statement and bolster playoff résumé.
Tactical Matchup
Tempo vs. Ball Control: Hastings will try to outrun Doane with quick snaps; Doane counters by chewing clock with power runs.
Line of Scrimmage: Broncos’ interior OL vs. Tigers’ gap-shooting front-two will shape early drives.
Big-Play Threats: Freeman’s deep look vs. Mullen’s coverage agility will swing field position.
Hastings’ up-tempo offense and home-field environment should prove decisive. Doane will sustain a few long drives, but turnovers and tempo advantage tilt in favor of the Broncos pulling away in the fourth quarter.
Game Odds
Hastings Broncos – 12.5
Doane Tigers (NE) 56.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
